|
Hearing set on second
incentive plea
By Randall
Rigsbee
Although it’s
been nearly three years since Chatham County implemented an economic
incentive policy to stimulate local job growth, the county only this
month considered its first incentives request.
That request,
for the controversial ISP Minerals plant proposed near Siler City,
was approved in a 3-2 vote last week after more than 30 county
residents urged commissioners not to approve it.
Now, the
county is considering a second incentives request; but this one
county commissioners anticipate will be less controversial.
ATC Panels in
Moncure plans a $13 million investment in new machinery and
equipment that will result in the creation of approximately 25 new
jobs.
ATC Panels
chief financial officer Rodolfo Salman recently met with now-retired
county economic development director Tony Tucker to request
participation in the county’s economic incentive plan.
more- See Thursday,
October 26
paper:
Vol 86, No.
47
Schools keep security a priority
By Kara Sumner
SAT scores,
tests and peer pressure may all be common worries of the typical
Chatham County high school student.
In light of
recent school tragedies across the nation, their parents may be more
preoccupied with something else – their safety.
No new
security plans have been made at this time, though due to the
strength of security measures already in place, none may be needed.
From armed
School Resource Officers (SRO’s) on each high school campus to
security cameras, Chatham County Schools place students’ safety high
on their list of priorities.
"[Safety] is
our first priority," said Chatham County Student Assistance Safe
Schools Counselor, George Greger-Holt.
Depending on
the size of the campus, most schools have at least one security
camera in place, Greger-Holt said.
The cameras
serve not only to identify a "perpetrator," but as an extra set of
eyes, he said.
"They’re very
helpful in watching what’s going on in the building," said Greger-Holt.
Keeping
outside entrances – aside from main office doors – secure is another
recommended security measure in county schools.
"We need to
cut-out the easy access," said Charles Johnson, parent of a Chatham
Central high school senior. "Someone wanting to cause harm could
walk right in a door, and they’re within 100 feet of a classroom.
One classroom is all it takes."
more- See Thursday,
October 26
paper:
Vol 86, No.
47 |
Jeff Davis photo
Clean up time . . .
Jose Telles brushes a coat of
protectant coating on the Chatham Hospital mural in Siler City last
week. The mural is on the side of the building on Birch Street. The
sealant will protect the paint from discoloring and keep the mural
looking fresh. There are three murals in town, the one above, one at
Ace Hardware and the newest of the three, on the side of Farmers
Alliance.
State: Pittsboro violates
water regulations
By Joseph
Pardington
Pittsboro on
September 25 received a notice of drinking water violation and
administrative order from the NC Division of Environmental
Health—Public Water Supply Section.
The specific
problem was that the water had more Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
than allowed by the state.
The running
annual average from July 1, 2005 to June 30, 2006 was 0.120
milligrams per liter (mg/l). The Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL)
allowable is .08 mg/L.
The town was
given until March 31, 2007 to come into compliance, said a memo from
Sam Misenheimer, town manager of Pittsboro.
The town is
in the process developing a "Notice to Public" regarding the
violation. The notice will explain the reason for the violation and
other useful information to water consumers. A sample notice
contained the following language: "You do not need to use an
alternative (e.g. bottled) water supply," the notice said. "However,
if you have specific health concerns, consult your doctor."
The notice
reassures the public. "This is not an immediate risk. If it had
been, you would have been notified immediately. However, some people
who drink water containing trihalomethanes in excess of the MCL over
many years may experience problems with their liver, kidneys or
central nervous system and may have an increased risk of getting
cancer."
A table of
TTHM levels from 2002 onward shows a pattern in Pittsboro’s water
system. The levels for the second and third quarters are
consistently higher than those of the first and fourth quarters.
Misenheimer’s
letter explained his efforts to enlist the technical assistance of
Hobbs, Upchurch and Associates, who met with Pittsboro staff
members.
more- See Thursday,
October 26
paper:
Vol 86, No.
47 |
